From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
List of modifications and faults identified in the Bentley axle since its introduction.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\1\ scan0208 | |
| Date | 10th September 1938 | |
| MODIFICATIONS TO BENTLEY AXLE SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION. A list of the parts which demanded serious modification is as follows :- (a). The flange bolting the axle tube to the centre box failed, and had to be considerably strengthened, and this occurred again, although we had found it necessary to improve both the Phantom 1 and Phantom 11, also 20 HP. axles at this point. (b). The combined thrust and journal bearing for the bevel pinion again was considerable trouble. We have only just found the solution for it, which is mainly due to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Hdy{William Hardy}'s investigation. (c). The roller bearing supporting the inner end of the bevel pinion. We have had, on three several occasions, to modify this design. We think we have now :- (1) Prevented the end of the bevel pinion breaking off. (2) We have got over the weakness in the roller race itself, which also failed. (d). Axle Driving Shafts. (1). We have had shafts, which have fractured at the inner or differential gear end of the shaft. (2) A number of shafts have sheared off at the outer end where the keys die out into the shaft. Both these faults have been covered by modification in design, which have given the shaft a good factor of safety. (e). Wheel Drivers. We have had three distinct faults in these, which we have cleared up satisfactorily :- (1). The drivers failing in the web. This necessitated an improved material and modification to the web. (2). Wear between the teeth on the outer diameter of the driver and those in the hub. | ||